LOS ANGELES (WDRB) -- Louisville native Brandy Neelly will soon head home from Hollywood after being eliminated from "American Idol" on Tuesday night.

It wasn't the ending that Neelly was hoping for.

On her fourth trip to Hollywood, she made it to the top 30. On Tuesday, she and four other girls were cut during an unexpected elimination.

"If I had gotten to sing, I would have cried. If I hadn't gotten to sing, I did cry, but in that type of situation you just have to think about what you have done up to that point and I'm very grateful I got as far as I did," Neelly said.

The 19-year-old isn't letting the elimination bring her down. She says she's remaining positive as she looks back on her time in Hollywood.

"I have had the best experience. I couldn't ask for a better experience and I'm just so happy that so many people came together to support me and I'm so blessed that this happened," Neelly said.

Neelly plans to cheer on the remaining contestants on TV. Before heading back home, she says she was eager to see more of Los Angeles.

"I'm going to go explore, go have some fun. The nerves are gone and I don't have to worry about performing anymore so I'm going to try to see the best part of Los Angeles and what it has to offer," Neelly said.

And, she's staying optimistic. She'd still love to pursue a career in music.

"I don't think it's the last time that you'll hear from me. I'm probably not going to audition for American Idol again. I love my music and wherever it takes me next, I'm going to follow that and I'm still going to strive to do what I love and that is make music," Neelly said.